Trump, Macron agree on European defence after army spat

Trump, Macron agree on European defence after army spat

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed on the need for Europe to bear more of the burden for defence, papering over an earlier Trump tweet that described Macron's call for a European army as "very insulting".

Trump, Macron agree on European defence after army spat

A civil greeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday (November 10).

The two leaders met for talks at the Elysee palace ahead of commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

But their exchange wasn't as warm as we've seen in the past.

Remember this?

And this?

The less enthusiastic reunion was most likely due to Trump's overnight tweet, describing Macron's call for a European army as -quote- "very insulting".

Earlier in the week the French leader had said Europe needed to protect itself against China, Russia "and even the United States" because of threats from cyberhacking and meddling in electoral processes.

But the two seemed to patch things up pretty quickly in Paris, finding common ground on an issue that has caused some friction.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "I do believe that my proposals for a European defence are totally consistent with that because it means more Europe within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty organization), more capacity, in order to take our part of the burden.

And I think it is very fair and it is very important." Trump has repeatedly pushed NATO allies to pay more for their common defence and not rely so heavily on the United States.